Sport

CRICKET: Paish perfect for Bassett in Nalgo win

WOOTTON Bassett captain Darren Beasant saluted the “hideously talented” Jack Paish after the youngsters unbeaten 71 helped his side beat Swindon NALGO by three wickets in their first game of the new Wiltshire League season.

Bassett, tipped by many for promotion to the West of England Premier League pyramid this term, chased down the 194 they required to beat NALGO with three and a half overs to spare, with Paish producing a mature knock to steady the ship after a flurry of wickets in the middle of the innings.

After the game, Beasant was quick to heap praise on Paish, saying: “We needed more than a run a ball for a while but Jack came in and played superbly. He took his time to get accustomed to the conditions, probably only scored three or four off his first 30 balls and then, once he got in, you couldn’t bowl him.

“He picked up anything that was short of length, he picked a couple off his pads for six over mid-wicket. Jack had a tough year last year by his own admission, I don’t think he got 70 runs all season but he’s hideously talented.

“It’s good to win a game, particularly from a tough position, and that will give all the boys comfortable.”